Province Investing in Paper Mill District

Ontario’s government is supporting tourism in Sault Ste. Marie through an investment in new Paper Mill district attractions, creating eight new full- and part-time jobs.

Today, Ross Romano, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines, announced the provincial government is investing $5 million to help the Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation, along with a private sector real estate and manufacturing partner, build new tourism features at the former St. Mary’s Paper site.

The project includes a new Agawa Canyon Tour train station, an exhibit centre-gallery, a micro-brewery, and an outdoor event centre. These attractions would complement The Machine Shop, an adjacent building that includes a restaurant, pub, and event facility.

“Tourism is vital to the economy of many northern communities like Sault Ste. Marie,” said Ross Romano. “Our government is pleased to support the Paper Mill district project, a significant investment in our unique and growing tourism sector.”

“We thank the province for funding this project at the Paper Mill District in support of building Sault Ste. Marie as a tourism destination,” said Dan Hollingsworth, Executive Director of the Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation. “We are pleased to partner with the SIS Group on this exciting investment that will bring more visitors to our community and region”.

“As a proud lifelong resident and an entrepreneur in Sault Ste. Marie, I am pleased to help grow the tourism sector and provide opportunities here in our community” said Tony Porco, Owner of the SIS Group. “I thank the Ontario government for supporting our vision for the development of the Paper Mill district.”